Premier League Preview – Brighton & Hove Albion

The next instalment of the much anticipated rivalry is finally upon us after an absence of almost five years as the Eagles return to the scene of a victory that ultimately led to promotion to the Premier League.

Much like the last time, the hosts go into the fixture in better form and perhaps more fancied than the visitors. That suited Palace then and will do so again.

The Seagulls have acclimatised well to the top division since promotion from the Championship with Chris Hughton successfully steering his side to a place in the top ten after thirteen games. They welcome Palace to the Amex off the back of a first defeat in six games, and an unlucky one at that as they fared well at Old Trafford.

In contrast, Palace are bottom of the table but have shown signs of a recovery and travel to the South Coast after a hard earned second Premier League win of the season at home to Stoke City.

ONE TO WATCH

The striker needs no introduction as Palace fans know him only too well, some even think he should still be playing for the Eagles but that is another story. The Cumbrian striker has worked his way up through the leagues which included a stint in the United States before starting to make his name at Carlisle who he signed for in 2004.

A move to Rochdale took place in 2007 after a successful loan spell and after 21 goals in 42 appearances, Brighton shelled out £300,000 for his services which proved a success on the South Coast scoring 53 goals in 118 appearances. He slipped through their fingers much to Palace’s glee as the Eagles signed Murray on a free in 2011. The now 34 year old was the catalyst for Palace securing promotion in 2013. After 112 appearances and 44 goals as well as loan stint at Reading, he moved to Bournemouth in 2015 but failed to hold down a regular place in the team so returned to Brighton on loan initially before re-joining the Seagulls permanently in the summer.

PREDICTION

Final league position – 19th

It has been a very good start to life in the Premier League for the newly promoted side but they face a difficult run through to the end of the year. That being said, the Seagulls have surprised many with a place in top ten at this stage of the season suggesting that they could defy the odds and remain in the top division. The fine start has given them a fighting chance but the true test will be when the form drops and squad depth is stretched to the limit with injuries and suspensions.

Jay Crame

Jay is the founder of TEB and site editor. An avid Palace fan since the late eighties with a passion for music and far too many other sports. Presenter and producer of The Meridian Sports Show on Meridian FM.